Gunmen wound Papua New Guinea chief ombudsman

Unknown gunmen have shot and wounded Papua New Guinea’s chief ombudsman, Chronox Manek, in what is being described as an assassination attempt outside his Port Moresby home.

The shooting occurred on Friday night and the newspaper, The National, says a bullet went through his shoulder.

Mr Manek says after shooting several times, the gunmen got back in their car and sped off, thinking he was dead.

He says he tried to follow his attackers but, feeling dizzy from loss of blood, he decided to drive to a nearby hospital.

The Police Commissioner Gari Baki says one of his senior officers visited the chief ombudsman in hospital soon after the incident.

Transparency International ranks PNG 151st out of 180 of the most corrupt countries in their annual list.

A host of other government figures, including the prime minister and the treasurer, are currently under investigation by the Ombudsman Commission.

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mv Mondi welcomed by PNGPCL

PNG Ports Corporation Ltd’s new pilot vessel mv Mondi (pictured) was officially welcomed at its Christmas function in Port Moresby last Friday evening.

mv Mondi is named after the wife of PNGPCL chairman Dr Ila Temu, who officiated last Friday.

The 13.67m boat, with an aluminium superstructure and powered by two Caterpillar engines, was bought from Bundaberg Port Corporation in Australia

Dr Temu thanked PNGPCL board of directors, CEO Brian Riches, management and the pilotage department for naming the newly-acquired boat after his wife.

Dr Temu said the board, as part of its strategic direction to move forward, had provided the CEO:

• The mandate to expand existing company operations to include harbour management and additional pilotage services;
• Set up the operating vehicle for harbour management; and
• Expand the pilotage service and fee structure.

“The board is aware that PNGPCL is in the process of implementing a strategic plan to identify direction of pilotage services and revenue opportunities, e.g., Australian Reef Pilots,” he said.

“We are committed to support the PNGPCL management in meeting challenges by facilitating economic growth through quality and efficient service delivery, profitability, sustainable investment in infrastructure, exceeding stakeholder and shareholder expectations and meeting legislative and community service obligations.

“The company is currently continuing its organisational restructure, revitalisation of services and rehabilitation of facilities throughout PNG.

“We are proud to be the only pilotage service provider in PNG.

“With the inclusion of mv Mondi, PNGPCL’s pilotage services will be boosted at its Port Moresby port/harbour.

“PNGPCL is aiming to boost the pilotage capacity from its current 15 to 20 pilots with the assistance of Australian Reef Pilots,

“We plan to have more pilotage boats as well for the pilotage department going forward.”

PNGPCL CEO Brian Riches admitted that currently resources in its pilotage division were limited.

“Resources include human resources and infrastructure, each of which require considerable investment to expand and provide an expanded service to other ports and provide reef and coastal pilotage services,” he said.

“Prior to a pilotage strategic review undertaken earlier this year, PNGPCL had estimated that it would have to increase its pilot numbers from 15 to 20 over the next five years.

“PNGPCL, with technical assistance from Australian Reef Pilots, has acquired the mv Mondi to boost its pilotage operations.

“In addition, there is the possibility to develop coastal pilotage services with some initial partnership approaches with Australian Reef Pilots.”

More pictures of The World's visit to Alotau, Milne Bay province

The World visits Milne Bay

Captions: 1. Canadian tourists who were seen delving into Milne Bay's rich World War II history took time to pose happily and with candid smiles at the Alotau War Memorial. 2. An American couple (left) and English couple (right) from The World look at Trobriand artifacts at Alotau's War Memorial Park.3. Renowned Anthropologist Dr Sullivan (second from left) and friends from California pose outside the Alotau market.4.  An American tourist rushes in to the Alotau market for green coconuts to beat down the scorching sun.

 

By LORRAINE JONATHAN                                        

                

 Cruise liner mv The World docked into luxurious tranquility when Milne Bay became its port of call recently.

The Bahamas flag- bearing ship of 250 crew and 200 passengers sent many of its curious passengers ashore on foot and carefree on their bicycles.

Among guests on the 200m-long vessel was renowned anthropologist Dr Nancy Sullivan who is currently based in Madang.

She was accompanied by tourists from California and others from 40 different countries who all exclaimed that they were set to explore beautiful Papua New Guinea.

Dr Sullivan has been a strong advocate of tourism as a way forward for Papua New Guinea and as a guest on The World lectured to tourists from 40 different countries on Papua New Guinea.

"Tourism is good for PNG,” she said.

“It brings much-needed funds to these remote communities, encourages them to maintain a traditional lifestyle and prevents the young men, in particular, from having to seek to work in the cities where they are subject to many dangerous influences."

Dr Sullivan and her friendly entourage cycled to the Alotau War Memorial which was highlighted on the day of their arrival by Trobriand craftsmen and their impressive artwork.

 Soon after they parked their bicycles outside the Alotau Town Market next to several marketing stalls of the informal sector sprawled at the entrance of the market.

While a few stepped in to grab some young, thirst-quenching coconuts and cordial ice blocks, the more adventurous tourists made a bolder move toward the betelnut and tobacco stalls.

The tourists cycled through the outskirts of the quiet town while most of the local people observed a quiet Sunday of Christian worship.

The World, which departed on the same day that afternoon, is no ordinary cruise liner but a floating residential community owned by residents of the ship from 40 different countries.

While she shares similar facilities to those on board a cruise liner, she is more unique because of her residential nature.

Her features include a grocery store and delicatessen, boutique, athletic facilities that include a golf simulator, putting green, casino, full-sized tennis court, jogging track and gym.

The World boasts four restaurants and entertainment including a movie theatre and music performances.

 Classes are also offered for dance, navigation, cooking, language, arts and crafts, music, computers and photography

Her 200-300m bedroom luxury apartments have open plan living and dining areas with master and guest bedrooms that have ensuite bathing facilities.

A full-sized kitchen is also a feature and Internet access is provided to each residence.

The World's website www.aboardtheworld.com describes having a private apartment onboard as "the magic carpet that provides you with the ride of your life with the comfort of home".

While some residents live onboard full time others visit their floating home periodically through the year as their ship slowly circumnavigates the globe.

 

Accra Caucus on Forests and Climate Change (ACFCC)

December 12^th 2009, Copenhagen: UNFCCC Climate Change Summit, Denmark

A robust agreement in Copenhagen to save rainforests is stripped of a global objective on halting deforestation, as developing country governments react to lack of commitment by rich countries.          Non-governmental organisations from around the world today strongly condemned negotiators at the Copenhagen climate summit for removing key content from a draft agreement aimed at protecting the world’s rainforests.

“The outcome of the negotiations of REDD under the UNFCCC will be crucial for the future of tropical rainforests and forest-dependent peoples.  If we lose the battle against deforestation we lose the battle against climate change,” said Kenn Mondiai – Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Ecoforestry Forum speaking on behalf of the Accra Caucus [2] on forests and climate change.

The draft text, released by government negotiators this morning following three days of closed-door discussions, shows that an objective for reducing deforestation by at least 50% by 2020 that had been included in an earlier ‘pre-Copenhagen’ draft of the agreement has now been removed. Similarly, wording that would ensure that biodiversity and the rights of indigenous peoples would be protected has also been moved out of the operative part of the agreement [1].

”In order to be successful, the REDD agreement must include a target for ending deforestation by 2020.  Without this, there is a risk that emissions from forest destruction will be prolonged with devastating impacts that will endanger forest-dependent communities and indigenous peoples, biodiversity and exacerbate climate change” said Kenn Mondiai – Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Ecoforestry Forum.

The loss of the specific target for reducing deforestation is believed to have come about as a result of pressure from tropical countries, who have been angered at the lack of financial commitments from the rich world to help them develop without destroying their forests and the lack of binding and adequate commitments to reducing industrial CO2 emissions by those responsible for creating the climate crisis.

“It’s hardly surprising that developing countries won’t agree to commit to global targets for reductions in deforestation, when rich countries aren't prepared to commit to global targets for reductions of industrial emissions. We are watching an historic opportunity turn into a monumental disaster” said Kenn Mondiai.

The key to saving forests and the climate is that binding targets to reduce industrial emissions, as well as long term financial commitments from developed countries, must be struck at the same time as a deal to reduce deforestation.

 “As developing countries rally around the call for emission reduction targets that will keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees, so the need for tougher targets for REDD become critical if REDD is to be a part of a meaningful outcome from Copenhagen”³ said Kenn Mondiai.

Notes

[1] The former text stated “parties shall”, but the new wording places no specific obligations on parties to adhere to safeguards

[2] The Accra Caucus consists of over 100 non-governmental organisations from 30 countries, (including all the major countries with tropical rainforest)

[3] notes on G77 position needed

For additional information contact Kenn Mondiai in Copenhagen on +4553996756 or chiefmondiai@gmail.com

 

Exam answers...

Is this just a lull before social turmoil?- Alfredo Hernandez 10.12.09

From John Fowke

What Alfredo and other less-outspoken commentators have said recently regarding a lack of interest in individual enterprise within PNG society-  which they say has led to a vacuum filled by enterprising Asians- -is something to be considered, although it is not entirely correct.It is wrong, in fact it is insulting, to ascribe sign of a growing unrest at the recent Asian invasion into many areas of business in PNG, to simple envy and  jealousy on the part of PNG'ians.

As for the presence of Philippine nationals as such in PNG, most of these, beginning in the 1970's, have been professional and administrative and trades-connected migrants who have come as workers rather than business-people. I think this fact is recognised although Philippinos in general, like all foreigners who stay for long in PNG, are still new colonials in the eyes of most citizens.

 May I recommend to Alfredo and to his countrymen who are of a similar general opinion that they look back upon the history of their own nation?

 The small, semi-tribal kingdoms, rajahnates, and principalities which ruled the islands of that great Asian archipelago, today the independant Republic of Philippines, were free in the same measure as pre-colonial PNG was free up until 125 years ago. These small Philippine kingdoms conducted their own affairs and benefitted for centuries in terms of a sporadic but important contact with seaborne traders from China, Vietnam and other neighbouring kingdoms.

 Then came the Spanish explorers, and the expedition led by Legaspi in 1564 which established the foothold from which dominance and full control by Spain over the whole archipelago arose. Spain ruled, and controlled not only the civil affairs and the laws, but also the trade of this rich colony for more than 300 years. Spain was displaced  by the United States of America which granted full independence to the people of the Philippines in 1946, only 30 years befor PNG became an independant nation.

 Don't tell us, please, Alfredo, that your fathers and your uncles and grandparents, to say nothing of their ancestors right back to 1565, did not chafe under the yoke of authoritarian colonial control and colonial exploitation? Dont tell us that even today,  Phillipine nationals dont have any negative feelings about the heavy presence of American multinational companies and those less-desirable effects emanating from the US military presence in your country? Under Aguinaldo in the 1890's your people fought a vicious and prolonged guerilla war against the colonial forces of the US, until, at the cost of a great many lives on both sides, the Americans again established control over your country. Dont tell us that the Philippinos of that generation together with their descendants held no animosity toward the Americans, who still have quite a large influence on the commerce and the politcs of your country. Think about this and then consider the feelings of Papua New Guineans, at one moment made free of foreign domination, and so soon after independence, once again heavily colonized in terms of influence and takeup of business opportunities by aliens. Is there any wonder that they feel aggrieved? 

 

John Fowke